New Hampshire is about to become the fourth state to offer civil unions for gays—and one of the first couples in line may be the state’s gay Episcopal bishop and a senior state bureaucrat. “My partner and I look forward to taking full advantage of the new law," said Bishop V. Gene Robinson.
His companion is state health administrator, Mark Andrew. The Democrat-controlled State Senate passed the bill 14-10. Gov. John Lynch says he will sign it, making civil unions available next January. New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont offer civil unions for gays couples. Only Massachusetts allows gay marriage.